[0001] This invention relates to a hair treatment composition, to a method of treating hair
and to the use of certain materials for conditioning hair.
[0002] Rinse off hair treatment compositions are products which are intended to be rinsed
from the hair during use, normally with water, after they have been applied to the
hair by the user. Typically, it is desirable to deposit any beneficial agents onto
the hair and not to remove all of these agents during the rinsing step. This deposition
can be achieved, for example, by using cationic polymers. Rinse off treatment compositions
include shampoos and hair conditioners.
[0003] When a hair benefit agent is applied to the hair from a rinse off product, it can
be useful to cause the hair benefit agent to become active, that is to say to exhibit
its beneficial effect to a greater extent, not immediately on application but only
after a trigger for the activation of the agent. For example, it can be desirable
to activate a hair benefit agent only after the hair is heated. This allows the hair
benefit agent to be delivered to the hair at a later stage from the rest of the rinse
off product. Also, the hair benefit agent can be protected from air and/or moisture
until it is released.
[0004] A heat activated hair curling treatment composition is described in US 4,861,583.
The composition employs a certain linear or branched or cross-linked water soluble
polyethylene oxide polymer having a melting point of 50 to 80°C. The polymer is exposed
to heat from a curling iron and thereby imparts a curl to hair. There is no disclosure
in this document of the delivery of any other benefit to the hair or of the use of
other materials.
[0005] US 6,156,826 relates to the encapsulation of perfumes in hydrophobic particles for
controlled release. The perfumes that are encapsulated in the particles have a log
P value of 1 to 8 and are, therefore, substantially insoluble in an aqueous phase.
In the examples which are given in the document, vegetable waxes are used to encapsulate
the perfume and there is no mention of any benefit being associated with the waxes
themselves.
[0006] WO 01/73412 discloses the optional use of visible particles in hair conditioning
compositions. The particles are not intended to be melted when the hair is heated
and are of a substance that can be broken and disintegrated with very little shear
with the fingers on use and is typically a polysaccharide, oligosaccharide or monosaccharide.
[0007] US 5,656,280 discloses water-in-oil-in-water emulsion compositions which can be used
to deliver agents to the hair and/or the skin.
[0008] There remains a need for systems that can deliver hair benefit agents to the hair
after a heat treatment step, providing benefits other than hair styling and the delivery
of perfumes.
[0009] It is known that certain types of solid particles can be employed in hair treatment
compositions. For example, US 5,051,489 discloses silanol waxes that can be used in
a range of different applications, including to lubricate hair. WO 01/39729 discloses
wax particles having a size of from 10 to 300 nm as reviving agents for hair treatment
products. EP-A-0346852 describes oil-in-water emulsions containing 1% to 6% by weight
of an oil or wax. EP-A-506197 teaches solid lipid particles having a size of 50 nm
to 1000 nm for the treatment of hair. There is no mention in any of these documents
of heat treatment of the hair, after the particles have been deposited onto the hair.
[0010] JP-A-11-228,359 describes a shampoo composition containing wax particles having a
size of 1 micron (1µm) or less and a melting point of 50 to 100°C. The particles are
said to provide softness, combing and antistatic benefits to hair. Again, there is
no indication in the document that heating the particles is necessary in order to
achieve the benefits.
[0011] The present invention is based on the discovery of a system for providing heat activated
benefits in hair compositions that has surprising advantages over the compositions
of the prior art. In particular<, the invention is based on compositions that have
good stability in standard hair treatment compositions that contain a surfactant (such
as shampoo compositions), whilst delivering surprisingly effective hair conditioning
benefits when applied to the hair.
[0012] According to the present invention, there is provided a rinse off hair treatment
composition comprising particles wherein at least 90% by weight of the particles have
an average maximum dimension of from 10 nanometres (nm) to 300 microns (µm), the particles
comprising a silicone wax having one or more C
3 to C
40, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted hydrocarbon
groups and the wax having a melting point of from 30°C to 100°C.
[0013] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating hair which comprises:
applying to the hair particles wherein at least 90% by weight of the particles have
an average maximum dimension of from 10 nm to 300 µm, the particles comprising a silicone
wax having one or more C
3 to C
40, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted hydrocarbon
groups and the wax having a melting point of from 30°C to 100°C; and heating the hair
to a temperature above the melting point of the particles.
[0014] A further aspect of the invention is the use of particles in which at least 90% by
weight of the particles have an average maximum dimension of from 10 nm to 300 µm,
the particles comprising a silicone wax having one or more C
3 to C
40, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted hydrocarbon
groups and the wax having a melting point of from 30°C to 100°C for conditioning hair
by heating hair treated with the particles to a temperature above the melting point
of the particles. Conditioning benefits include ease of comb, smoothness, softness,
body, volume, bounce, fullness and texture.
[0015] The invention is based on the use of particles of a silicone wax. It has surprisingly
been found that silicone waxes having one or more C
3 to C
40, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted hydrocarbon
groups (which include the so-called alkyl-modified silicones) have a good stability
in hair treatment compositions compared to other waxes, such as vegetable waxes. However,
the particles also deposit effectively onto the hair and give unexpectedly superior
hair conditioning properties (such as ease of comb) after heat treatment of the hair,
for example during heat styling or drying at an elevated temperature. The melting
of the particles provides at least part of the conditioning benefits of the composition.
[0016] The particles of the invention comprise a population in which at least 90% by weight
of the particles (preferably at least 95% more preferably substantially all) of the
particles have an average maximum dimension of from 10 nm to 300 µm, preferably from
1 µm to 200 µm, more preferably 2 µm to 100 µm, most preferably from 2 µm to 50 µm.
The maximum dimension of the particles will be the diameter when the particles are
spherical and will otherwise be the greatest distance in a straight line across the
particle. Average particle sizes can be determined by light microscopy.
[0017] The particles of the invention may be provided as, for example, a Gaussian or skewed,
monomodal, multimodal or polymodal particle distribution.
[0018] The silicone wax in the particles of the invention has a melting point of from 30°C
to 100°C. Preferably, the melting point is from 35°C to 90°C, more preferably 40°C
to 70°C such as 45°C to 60°C. The melting point of the wax is the temperature at which
the majority of the wax becomes liquid and is therefore able to flow. Above its melting
point, the wax can spread onto hair fibres and thus can impart conditioning benefits
to the hair. The melting point of the silicone wax, as defined herein, is the melting
point of the wax when it is in the particles of the invention ie, taking into account
any other components in the particles which may raise or lower the observed melting
point of the wax in the particles. Melting points can be determined by DSC (Differential
Scanning Calorimetry), by observing the melting transition. The melting point of the
particles will typically be in the same range as the melting point of the wax.
[0019] The silicone wax that is used in the invention comprises one or more C
3 to C
40, branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted hydrocarbon
groups. Preferably, the hydrocarbon groups contain 6 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably
10 to 36 carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon groups may be fully saturated ie, alkyl groups.
Alternatively, the hydrocarbon groups may be unsaturated and may comprise one, two
or more carbon-carbon double or triple bonds ie, they may be alkenyl or alkynyl groups.
The hydrocarbon groups are optionally substituted, for example with one or more substituents
selected from hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl and phenyl. Examples of unbranched (ie, linear)
alkyl groups are propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl,
dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl,
eicosanyl, heneicosanyl, docosanyl, tricosanyl and tetracosanyl. The silicone wax
may contain a single alkyl group or a mixture of different alkyl groups.
[0020] The silicone wax will also preferably contain the repeat unit (-O-Si(CH
3)
2-).
[0021] Silicone waxes include those with C
3 to C
40 alkyl or alkoxy groups bonded to the end of the silicone polymer chain, as well as
those with C
3 to C
40 alkyl or alkoxy groups grafted or otherwise attached along the silicone polymer chain.
Silicone waxes may comprise alkyl or alkoxy groups both at the end of the polymer
chain and along the backbone of the polymer chain.
[0022] Therefore, the silicone wax may have the general formula:
R
1Si(Me)
2-[OSi (Me)
2]
k-[OSi (Me)
2R
2]
l-R
3
wherein R
1, R
2 and R
3 are independently C
3 to C
40 branched or unbranched alkyl or alkoxy groups, k and l are independently integers
from 0 to 100, provided that k + l is at least 4, and, when k and 1 are both not equal
to zero, the polymer can comprise random or block arrangements of l and k groups.
[0023] Suitable examples of other silicone waxes that may be used in the invention include
silicone copolymers having the average structural formulae:
1.
RaSi[(OSiMe2)n(OSiMeG)dOSiMe2G]4-a,
2.
GMe2Si(OSiMe2)n(OSiMeG)bOSiMe2G,
3.
Me3Si(OSiMe2)n(OSiMeG)cOSiMe3,
or
4.
RaSi[(OSiMe2)n(OSiMeG)cOSiMe3]4-a,
in which formulae R
a is a hydrocarbon radical free of aliphatic unsaturation and has from 1 to 10 carbon
atoms.
- Me
- is a methyl radical, in these formulae and throughout this specification,
- G
- is a radical of the structure -D(OR")mA wherein D is an alkylene radical containing from 1 to 40 carbon atoms,
- R"
- is composed of ethylene radicals and radicals selected from propylene and butylene
radicals, preferably the amount of ethylene radicals relative to other alkylene radicals
being such that the ratio of carbon atoms to oxygen atoms in the total OR" blocks
ranges from 2.3:1 to 2.8:1,
- m
- has an average value from 0 to 100, preferably 7 to 100,
- A
- is a radical selected from -OR', -OOCR' and

radicals wherein R' is a radical free of aliphatic unsaturation selected from hydrocarbon
and hydrocarbonoxy radicals, the A radical containing a total of less than eleven
atoms.
- a
- has an average value from 0 to 1,
- n
- has an average value from 0 to 500, preferably 6 to 420,
- d
- has an average value of from 0 to 30,
- b
- has an average value from 0 to 50, preferably 1 to 30, and
- c
- has an average value from 0 to 50, preferably 3 to 30,
provided that at least one of R
a, R", D, A and R' contains at least 3 carbon atoms. Preferably, the copolymers contain
at least 13 percent by weight OSiMe
2 units based on the weight of the copolymer.
[0024] These polymers and methods for their production are disclosed in EP-A-0583130 and
US 3,402,192, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
[0025] Other examples of silicone waxes that are suitable for use in the invention are the
compounds of the formula:
R
1aC(O)O-Si(Me)
2-R
2a-[C (O)-R
3a-C(O)-R
2a]
aC(O)OR
1a
wherein
R2a is -[OSi(Me)(R4a)]b-OSi(Me)2O-,
R1a is alkyl having from 6 to 40 carbon atoms,
R3a is -(CH2)c- or -(CH2)d-CH=CH-(CH2)e,
a is an integer from 0 to 20,
b is an integer of from 1 to 200,
c, d and e are independently integers from 1 to 10, and
R4a is alkyl having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or phenyl.
[0026] The silicone polymers mentioned above and methods for their production are described
in US 5,051,489, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
[0027] Preferred examples of silicone waxes are: stearyl, cetyl and behenyl dimethicone
or trimethicone; stearoxy or behenoxy dimethicone or trimethicone; mono-, di- or tri-
C
3 to C
40 alkyl polysiloxanes; and mono-, di- or tri- C
3-C
40 alkoxy polysiloxanes; mono-, di- or tri- C
4-C
41 acyl polysiloxanes. In particular those which contain a [OSi(Me)
2] repeat unit in which the average number of the repeat units is from 4 to 10, such
as 5 to 9, for example 7. Suitable silicone waxes are, for example, available from
Goldschmidt GmbH under the trade mark Abil eg, Abil 2440 and Abil 9810.
[0028] The silicone wax used in the particles of the invention can be a single compound
or a mixture of two or more different compounds.
[0029] The silicone wax preferably constitutes the major proportion by weight of the wax
particles. Thus, the wax particles preferably comprise, by weight of the particles,
50% or more of the silicone wax, more preferably 60% or more, even more preferably
70% or more, such as 80% or more, for example 90% or more. The particles can also
contain only the silicone wax. When the particles contain less than 100 % of the silicone
wax, they may also comprise one or more other materials. The one or more other materials
may be in the same phase as the wax or in a different phase. Examples of one or more
other materials that may be present in the wax particles include: triglycerides such
as triglyceride oils and triglyceride waxes eg, vegetable waxes and vegetable oils;
fatty acids, fatty alcohols and esters of either fatty acids or fatty alcohols, generally
containing from 12 to 48 carbon atoms in the molecule; hydrocarbon oils and waxes,
such as paraffin wax; hydrophobic polymers and copolymers melting in the temperature
range of from 30°C to 100°C; silicone oils eg, linear polydimethylsiloxane; mineral
oil; fragrance; amines, eg, stearyl amidopropyl dimethylamine; quaternary ammonium
compounds comprising from 6 to 34 carbon atoms, such as those comprising a trimethyl
ammonium group and a linear alkyl chain containing from 6 to 30 carbon atoms eg, cetyl
trimethylammonium salts (such as the chloride salt), behenyl trimethylammonium salts
(such as chloride), distearyldimethylammonium salts (such as chloride) and PEG-2 oleammonium
salts (such as chloride); emulsifiers eg, nonionic, anionic or cationic surface active
materials); solid particles such as clays, silicas, and polymers including natural
and synthetic rubbers, thermoplastic polymers and PTFE; and mixtures therof.
[0030] The wax particles may be used in the present invention either alone or in combination
with other particles containing no silicone wax. For example, the particles comprising
a silicone wax may be used together with particles comprising a vegetable wax.
[0031] Compositions of the invention are rinse off compositions. Thus, the compositions
are intended to be rinsed from the hair after use, although a minor proportion of
the composition, including at least some of the wax particles, will remain on the
hair after rinsing.
[0032] Compositions of the invention typically contain up to 50% by weight of the composition
of the particles of the invention, preferably from 0.01% to 50% by weight, more preferably
from 0.05% to 30% by weight, such as 1% to 20% by weight.
[0033] Compositions of the invention may comprise the particles suspended, or otherwise
dispersed, in an aqueous liquid (for example comprising at least 50% by weight water,
preferably at least 75% by weight water).
[0034] Examples of rinse off compositions of the invention are shampoo compositions and
hair conditioning compositions.
[0035] Shampoo compositions of the invention comprise at least one surfactant which provides
a deterging benefit. The deterging surfactant is preferably selected from anionic,
nonionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof.
[0036] Suitable anionic surfactants include the alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphates,
alkaryl sulphonates, alkanoyl isethionates, alkyl succinates, alkyl sulphosuccinates,
N-alkoyl sarcosinates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl ether carboxylates,
and alpha-olefin sulphonates, especially their sodium, magnesium ammonium and mono-,
di- and triethanolamine salts.
[0037] The most preferred anionic surfactants are sodium lauryl sulphate, triethanolamine
lauryl sulphate, triethanolamine monolauryl phosphate, sodium lauryl ether sulphate
1EO, 2EO and 3EO, ammonium lauryl sulphate and ammonium lauryl ether sulphate 1EO,
2EO and 3EO.
[0038] Nonionic surfactants suitable for use in compositions of the invention may include
condensation products of aliphatic (C
8-C
18) primary or secondary linear or branched chain alcohols or phenols with alkylene
oxides, usually ethylene oxide and generally having from 6 to 30 ethylene oxide groups.
Other suitable nonionics include mono- or di-alkyl alkanolamides. Example include
coco mono- or di-ethanolamide and coco mono-isopropanolamide.
[0039] Further nonionic surfactants which can be included in shampoos for the invention
are the alkyl polyglycosides (APGs). Typically, the APG is one which comprises an
alkyl group connected (optionally via a bridging group) to a block of one or more
glycosyl groups. Preferred APGs are defined by the following formula:
RO - (G)
n
wherein R is a branched or straight chain alkyl group which may be saturated or unsaturated
and G is a saccharide group. Suitable alkyl polyglycosides for use in the invention
are commercially available and include for example those materials identified as:
Oramix NS10 ex Seppic; Plantaren 1200 and Plantaren 2000 ex Henkel.
[0040] Amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants suitable for use in compositions of the invention
may include alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl
sulphobetaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphopropionates,
alkylamphoglycinates alkyl amidopropyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurates and acyl glutamates,
wherein the alkyl and acyl groups have from 8 to 19 carbon atoms. Examples include
lauryl amine oxide, cocodimethyl sulphopropyl betaine and preferably lauryl betaine,
cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium cocamphopropionate.
[0041] The surfactants are present in shampoo compositions of the invention in an amount
of from 1 to 50% by weight of the composition, preferably from 1 to 30% by weight,
more preferably from 5 to 30% by weight.
[0042] Compositions in accordance with the invention may also take the form of hair conditioning
compositions, which may be rinse off or leave-on hair conditioning compositions or
so-called 2 in 1 compositions containing shampoo and conditioner. The conditioning
compositions preferably comprise one or more cationic surfactants. The use of cationic
surfactants is especially preferred, because these ingredients are capable of providing
conditioning benefits to hair.
[0043] Examples of cationic surfactants include: quaternary ammonium hydroxides, e.g., tetramethylammonium
hydroxide, alkyltrimethylammonium hydroxides wherein the alkyl group has from about
8 to 22 carbon atoms, for example octyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, dodecyltrimethy-
ammonium hydroxide, hexadecyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide,
octyldimethylbenzylammonium hydroxide, decyldimethylbenzylammonium hydroxide, stearyldi-methylbenzylammonium
hydroxide, didodecyldimethylammonium hydroxide, dioctadecyldimethylammonium hydroxide,
tallow trimethylammonium hydroxide, cocotrimethylammonium hydroxide, and the corresponding
salts thereof, e.g., chlorides, Cetylpyridinium hydroxide or salts thereof, e.g.,
chloride ,Quaternium -5, Quaternium -31,Quaternium -18, and mixtures thereof.
[0044] In hair conditioning compositions according to the invention, the level of cationic
surfactant is preferably from 0.01 to 10%, more preferably 0.05 to 5%, most preferably
0.1 to 2% by weight of the composition.
[0045] Although the silicone wax used in the compositions of the invention can provide all
or part of the conditioning benefits of the compositions, hair conditioning and shampoo
compositions of the invention may both also contain one or more additional conditioning
agents, preferably selected from silicones, protein hydrolysates and quaternised protein
hydrolysates and other materials which are known in the art as having desirable hair
conditioning properties.
[0046] Silicones are the most preferred conditioning agents and have been found to exhibit
surprisingly superior properties when used in combination with the particles of the
invention. The silicones are preferably in the form of liquid droplets, typically
dispersed in compositions of the invention, preferably in an amount of up to 5% by
weight of the composition, more preferably from 0.01% to 5% by weight of the composition,
even more preferably from 0.1% to 5% by weight
[0047] Suitable silicones include volatile and non-volatile silicones, such as for example
polyalkylsiloxanes, polyalkylaryl siloxanes, siloxane gums and resins, cyclomethicones,
aminofunctional silicones, quaternary silicones and mixtures thereof. Silicone oil
is a particularly preferred conditioning agent for hair. The silicone may be in the
form of a low viscosity oil which may contain a high viscosity oil or gum in solution.
Alternatively, the high viscosity material may be in the form of an emulsion in water.
The emulsion may be of high viscosity oil or of a solution of gum in a lower viscosity
oil. The particle size of the oil phase may be anywhere in the range from 30 nanometres
to up to 20 microns average size.
[0048] The silicone oil may suitably be a polydimethylsiloxane with an average particle
size of less than 20 microns and preferably less than 2 microns. Small particle size
enables a more uniform distribution of silicone conditioning agent for the same concentration
of silicone in the composition. Advantageously, a silicone with a viscosity in the
range 1-20 million cst is used. The silicone can be cross-linked.
[0049] Preferred silicones include polydimethylsiloxanes (of CTFA designation dimethicone)
and hydroxylated polydimethylsiloxanes (of CTFA designation dimethiconol). Silicones
of the above types are widely available commercially, for example as DC-1784 and DCX2-1391,
both ex Dow Corning.
[0050] Suitable protein hydrolysates include lauryl dimonium hydroxy propylamino hydrolysed
animal protein, available commercially under the trade name LAMEQUAT L, and hydrolysed
keratin containing sulphur-bearing amino acids, available commercially under the trade
name CROQUAT WKP.
[0051] In accordance with the invention, the hair shampoo and/or conditioner composition
may also comprise a polymeric watersoluble cationic polymer as a conditioning agent.
[0052] The cationic polymer may be present at levels of from 0.01 to 5%, preferably from
about 0.05 to 1%, more preferably from about 0.08% to about 0.5% by weight.
[0053] Synthetic or naturally derived polymers having a quaternised nitrogen atom are useful.
The molecular weight of the polymer (in g/mol) will generally be between 5 000 and
10 000 000, typically at least 10 000 and preferably in the range 100 000 to about
2 000 000.
[0054] Representative synthetic quaternised polymers include, for example: cationic copolymers
of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidine and 1-vinyl-3-methyl-imidazolium salt (e.g., Chloride salt)
(referred to in the industry by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association,
"CTFA". as Polyquaternium-16); copolymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidine and dimethylaminoethyl
methacrylate (referred to in the industry by CTFA as Polyquaternium-11); cationic
diallyl quaternary ammonium-containing polymers including, for example, dimethyldiallylammonium
chloride homopolymer (referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquaternium 6); mineral
acid salts of amino-alkyl esters of homo-and co-polymers of unsaturated carboxylic
acids having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms, as described in U.S. Patent 4,009,256; and
cationic polyacrylamides as described in WO95/22311.
[0055] Representative naturally-derived quaternised polymers include quaternised cellulosic
compounds and cationic guar gum derivatives, such as guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride.
Examples are JAGUAR C-13S, JAGUAR C-15, and JAGUAR-C17, commercially available from
Meyhall in their JAGUAR (trademark) series.
[0056] Suitable cationic polyacrylamides are described in WO 95/22311 whose contents are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0057] The compositions may further comprise from 0.1 to 5 % of a suspending agent. Examples
are polyacrylic acids, cross linked polymers of acrylic acid, copolymers of acrylic
acid with a hydrophobic monomer, copolymers of carboxylic acid-containing monomers
and acrylic esters, cross-linked copolymers of acrylic acid and acrylate esters, heteropolysaccharide
gums and crystalline long chain acyl derivatives. The long chain acyl derivative is
desirably selected from ethylene glycol stearates, alkanolamides of fatty acids having
from 16 to 22 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof. Polyacrylic acid is available commercially
as Carbopol 420, Carbopol 488 or Carbopol 493. Polymers of acrylic acid cross-linked
with a polyfunctional agent may also be used, they are available commercially as Carbopol
910, Carbopol 934, Carbopol 940, Carbopol 941 and Carbopol 980. An example of a suitable
copolymer of a carboxylic acid containing a monomer and acrylic acid esters is Carbopol
1342. All Carbopol materials are available from Goodrich and Carbopol is a trade mark.
A further suitable suspending agent is dihydrogenated tallow phthalic acid amide (available
from Stepan under the trademark Stepan TAB-2).
[0058] Suitable cross linked polymers of acrylic acid and acrylate esters are Pemulen TR1
or Pemulen TR2. A suitable heteropolysaccharide gum is xanthan gum, for example that
available as Kelzan mu.
[0059] Another ingredient that may advantageously be incorporated into shampoo and/or conditioning
compositions of the invention is a fatty alcohol material. The use of these materials
is especially preferred in conditioning compositions of the invention, in particular
conditioning compositions which comprise one or more cationic surfactant materials.
The combined use of fatty alcohol materials and cationic surfactants in conditioning
compositions is believed to be especially advantageous, because this leads to the
formation of a lamellar phase, wherein the cationic surfactant is dispersed.
[0060] Preferred fatty alcohols comprise from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, more preferably 16 to
20. Examples of preferred fatty alcohols are cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. The
use of these materials is also advantageous in that they contribute to the overall
conditioning properties of compositions of the invention.
[0061] The level of fatty alcohol materials is conveniently from 0.01 to 10%, preferably
from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the composition. The weight ratio of cationic surfactant
to fatty alcohol is preferably from 10:1 to 1:10, more preferably from 4:1 to 1:8,
most preferably from 1:1 to 1:4.
[0062] A further ingredient that may be desirably included in the shampoo and/or conditioning
compositions is a pearlescent material. Suitable pearlescent materials include ethylene
glycol distearate, ethylene glycol monostearate, guanine and titanium dioxide coated
micas, bismuth oxychloride, and stearic monoethanol amide. The level of pearlescent
material present in the composition is generally 0.1% to 5%, preferably from 0.3%
to 3% by weight of the composition.
[0063] The compositions of the invention may optionally comprise an antimicrobial agent.
The antimicrobial agent may be a single compound or a mixture of two or more compounds.
The antimicrobial agent may, for example, be in solid particulate form or dissolved
in compositions of the invention.
[0064] The antimicrobial agent is typically present in compositions of the invention in
an amount of from 0.01% to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.1% to 2% by weight.
[0065] Preferably, the antimicrobial agent is selected from climbazole, ketoconazole, octapirox
and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the antimicrobial agent is climbazole. These
antimicrobial agents will typically be in solution in compositions of the invention.
[0066] The preferred solid antimicrobial agents are metal pyrithiones, particularly zinc
pyrithione (ZnPTO) which, on account of its relative insolubility in aqueous systems,
is generally used in hair treatment compositions as a particulate dispersion. The
zinc pyrithione may be used in any particle form including, for example, crystalline
forms such as platelets and needles and amorphous, regularly or irregularly shaped
particles. If zinc pyrithione is present in the composition, a suspending agent is
preferably used to prevent or inhibit the settling of the particles out of the composition.
The average particle diameter of the zinc pyrithione particles (ie, their maximum
dimension) is typically from about 0.2 to about 50 µm, preferably from about 0.4 to
about 10 µm. Particle size can be measured using a Malvern Mastersizer (Malvern Instruments,
Malvern, UK).
[0067] Antimicrobial agents typically display a minimum inhibitory concentration of about
50 mg/ml or less against
Malassezia.
[0068] The shampoo and/or conditioner compositions of the invention are preferably aqueous
based. The compositions suitably comprise water in amount of from about 20 to about
99% by weight of the total composition.
[0069] The compositions of the present invention may also contain other ingredients conventionally
used in the art such as diluents, sequestrants, thickeners, carriers, antioxidants,
proteins, polypeptides, preservatives, moisturising agents, solvents, perfumes, enzymes
and polymers.
[0070] Compositions of the invention are preferably used in the method of the invention.
[0071] In the method of the invention, hair is treated with particles that can be used in
compositions of the invention. The treatment preferably involves the use of a composition
of the invention but other compositions comprising the particles may be used instead.
Typically, the particles are applied to hair during a shampooing step or a hair conditioning
step or during both steps. After rinsing the compositions from the hair, at least
some of the particles remain deposited on the hair.
[0072] At this stage of the method of the invention, the user of the product may experience
some hair conditioning benefits if the hair is allowed to dry.
[0073] However, the method of the invention comprises a step of heating the hair treated
with the particles to a temperature that is above the melting point of the particles.
Following this heating step, the user of the product may experience improved hair
conditioning benefits due to the silicone wax and any other hair conditioning material
that is present in the particles. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed
that when the hair is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the particles,
the constituents of the particles are able to flow and to spread onto the hair to
provide a more even distribution of the constituents on the hair fibre. Also, the
user of the composition may experience a greater benefit from any other material that
is contained in the particles, following its release from the wax particles.
[0074] In the method of the invention, the hair may be heated whilst it is still wet eg,
during drying at an elevated temperature eg, with a blow dryer or in a salon dryer.
Alternatively, the hair may be heated after it has been allowed to dry at room temperature.
Other methods of heating include heating which takes place during styling of the hair
eg, using curling tongs. The hair may be styled whilst it is wet or after it has been
dried.
[0075] The temperature to which the hair is heated will depend on the melting point of the
particles that are used.
Typically, the hair is heated to a temperature of from 30°C to 100°C, such as 35°C
to 90°C eg, 40°C to 70°C.
[0076] The invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting
examples. In the examples and throughout this specification, all percentages are by
weight based on total composition unless indicated otherwise.
EXAMPLES
[0077] Particle sizes were measured using an Olympus BH-2 Transmission microscope. The particle
size is measured by:
1) placing a graticule on the microscope platform
2) changing the magnification to 20 times focus and adjusting the focus until the
graticule can be clearly seen
3) printing out a picture of the graticule
4) using a ruler to calculate the distance in millimetres on the picture covered by
100 microns on the graticule
5) placing a sample on the microscope slide and keeping magnification at 20 times
focus
6) adjusting focus so the particles in the sample can clearly be seen
7) printing out a picture of the particles in the sample
8) calculating the average size of the particles in microns by measuring the diameters
(or the longest dimension) of the particles in millimetres and converting into microns
by using the calculation from step 4.
[0078] Melting points of the particles were determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
(DSC). DSC measurements were performed on a Perkin-Elmer DSC 7 series at a heating
rate of 10°C per minute. Heating rates of 5°C per minute could be used for materials
having a slow crystallisation rate (although this did not apply to the waxes used
in these examples).
Example 1
[0079] Shampoo compositions were formulated as a Control and containing 2% by weight vegetable
wax (as a Comparative Example) and 2% by weight silicone wax (an Example of a composition
of the invention) using the following components, where figures are percentages by
weight of active material based on total formulation.
CHEMICAL NAME |
TRADE NAME |
Control Shampoo |
Shampoo + 2% w/w Veg Wax |
Shampoo + 2% w/w Si Wax |
Surfactant blend* |
|
24.00 |
24.00 |
24.00 |
Guar Hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride |
Jaguar C-13-S |
0.10 |
0.10 |
0.10 |
Carbomer |
Carbopol 980 |
0.40 |
0.40 |
0.40 |
Propan-1,2-diol |
Propan-1,2-diol |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
Veg Wax |
Lipex 3075 |
|
2% |
|
Si Wax** |
Abil2440 |
|
|
2% |
Ammonium Chloride |
Ammonium Chloride |
0.40 |
0.40 |
0.40 |
Preservative |
|
q.s. |
q.s. |
q.s. |
Water |
Water |
To 100% |
To 100% |
To 100% |
*The surfactant blend is as follows:
25% by weight Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate
25% by weight Ammonium Laureth Sulphate-1EO
5% by weight Cocamide Monoethanolamine
2.5% by weight Cocamide Monoethanolamine-5EO
42.5% by weight water |
**Abil 2440 in the final shampoo product has an average particle size of about 34
microns |
[0080] The shampoo was prepared as follows:
1. The shampoo base was heated to ∼50°C in a water bath.
2. The wax was heated at ∼50°C until melted.
3. The molten wax was poured into the shampoo whilst stirring with a Heidolph stirrer
at approximately 400 rpm. This was then left to mix for 1 minute at 50°C.
4. With stirring, the shampoo was then allowed to cool to room temperature.
[0081] Combing force was measured for treated hair switches in the following manner:
Switch Treatment: 0.6g of shampoo was added to a wet hair switch and massaged into
the switch for 30 seconds. The shampoo was then rinsed for 30 seconds under a running
tap. A second treatment of 0.6g of shampoo was added to the same switch and again
massaged for 30 seconds. The switch was then rinsed for a total of 60 seconds under
a running tap. The switch was then dried using a hair dryer set to full heat for 5
minutes whilst the switch was slowly combed.
Instron Combing: A mandrell-type combing rig is placed within a Climatic Systems Ltd
environmental chamber for temperature and humidity control; 20°C, 50% relative humidity
(RH) is standard. A dry hair switch (see above) is attached to a 10 N load cell fitted
on the cross-head of an Instron 5564 series tensile tester. A motor drives the combing
rig to rotate at approximately 30rpm, pulling the comb through the switch 30 times
per minute. The resulting force is measured by the Instron, and data is collected
on a PC. Combing force measurements are recorded for 20 seconds as combing starts,
and then at 12 minute time intervals over a period of 42 minutes. Each switch gives
4 data files, corresponding to the combing force at 0, 1.5, 3 and 4.5 minutes after
combing commences. The data are analysed using a program which measures the peak heights
in each combing cycle. The baseline of the plot is set to zero, so that the units
of measurement are Newtons. For each timepoint, the peak heights are averaged to give
an average combing force per timepoint. Confidence limits are calculated in log space,
to compensate for the fact that the variance on the force increases with the force.
A full ANOVA analysis makes use of all the switches in the measurement set to give
a good estimate of the standard deviation, and to minimise the t value needed for
calculating confidence limits.
Instron Combing Results (3 min data point) |
Treatment |
Combing Force (N) |
Shampoo |
1.725 |
Shampoo + 2% Veg Wax |
0.657 |
Shampoo + 2 % Silicone Wax |
0.241 |
[0082] The shampoo containing 2% by weight silicone wax had a combing force of 0.943 N when
used in the same way as described above but using the hair drier at the lowest (cold)
setting.
[0083] Thus, the composition of the invention had the advantage of imparting a lower combing
force to the treated hair after heat treatment and this effect increased markedly
after heat treatment.
Example 2
[0084] Hair conditioner compositions were formulated as a Control and containing 5% by weight
vegetable wax (as a Comparative Example) and 5% by weight silicone wax (an Example
of a composition of the invention; Example 2) using the following components, where
figures are percentages by weight of active material based on total formulation.
Trade Name |
Chemical Name |
Control % w/w |
Example 2 % w/w |
Comparative Example %w/w |
Arquad 16-29 |
Cetrimonium Chloride |
2.80 |
2.80 |
2.80 |
Arquad 2HT |
Ditallow Dimethyl ammonium chloride |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
Laurex CS |
Cetyl/stearyl alcohol |
3.00 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
Natrosol HHR |
Hydroxy ethyl cellulose |
0.20 |
0.20 |
0.20 |
EDTA |
Tetrasodium EDTA |
0.10 |
0.10 |
0.10 |
Potassium Chloride |
Potassium Chloride |
0.30 |
0.30 |
0.30 |
Lipex XP 3075 |
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil |
- |
- |
5.00 |
Abil 2440 |
Behenoxy dimethicone |
- |
5.00 |
- |
Preservative |
|
q.s. |
q.s. |
q.s. |
Water |
|
To 100% |
To 100% |
To 100% |
[0085] The formulations can be prepared as follows:
1) The control was heated to ∼50°C in a water bath. It was stirred using a Heidolph
stirrer at approximately 400 rpm.
2) The wax was melted on a hotplate.
3) The molten wax was poured into the conditioner. It was left to mix at ∼50°C for
1 minute.
4) The conditioner was then allowed to cool to room temperature with stirring.
[0086] Switch Preparation: 8g 254mm (10 inch) Spanish hair switches were washed in base
shampoo (0.1 ml per g of switch) for 30 seconds, rinsed for 30 seconds, washed in
shampoo for 30 seconds, rinsed for 1 minute and combed to remove tangles. The switches
were dried overnight and then trimmed to 200mm (8 inches) (∼5.6 g) prior to treatment.
The switches were then treated with conditioner (0.2 ml per g of switch) for 1 minute,
rinsed for 1 minute and combed 10 times prior to blow-drying. The switches were blow-dried
by:
1. Setting the hairdryer to full heat, positioning the nozzle 25-50mm (1-2 inches)
from the switch.
2. Inserting a comb at the top of the switch, and positioning the dryer nozzle 25-50mm
(1-2 inches) from the switch at the same level as the comb.
3. Passing the comb and dryer simultaneously down the switch at an even rate so that
it takes just under 10 seconds to get to the bottom.
4. Returning the comb and dryer to top of switch - the whole cycle should take 10
seconds
5. Repeating for 2.5 minutes, then turning the switch and continuing until 5 minutes
in total has elapsed.
Sensory Panelling
[0087] This panel used three treatments, with three switches for each treatment. The switches
were treated and dried as above, equilibrated overnight at ambient (20°C, 50% RH),
then assessed.
[0088] The 9 switches were assessed in paired comparison by each of 18 panellists, following
a standard grid pattern. Each panellist assessed 6 pairs and the switches were presented
in a pattern designed to compensate for any systematic errors. The panellist was asked
to state which of the two switches showed more of a particular attribute. The switches
were assessed for 'Smoothness' and 'Ease of Comb'. "No difference" responses were
not permitted. When the full assessment was complete, the data was analysed by a program
which checked for any anomalies and imbalances, and stated whether or not the treatments
were significantly different, at the 95% confidence level. A higher value in the following
tables indicates a greater benefit.
Results
Smoothness
[0089]
Treatment |
Proportion of Selections for Each Treatment (%) |
Control |
28 |
Comparative Example |
32 |
Example 2 |
40 |
[0090] Neither of the conditioners containing the Lipex or the Abil 2440 were found to be
significantly smoother than the control at the 95% level, although benefits for the
composition of the invention are apparent.
Ease of Comb
[0091]
Treatment |
Proportion of Selections for Each Treatment (%) |
Control |
19 |
Comparative Example |
28 |
Example 2 |
53 |
[0092] The conditioner containing Lipex was not found significantly easier to comb than
the control at the 95% level (p=0.1648).
[0093] The conditioner containing Abil 2440 was found to be significantly easier to comb
than the Mixed Quat base at the 95% level (p=0.0006). It was also found to be significantly
easier to comb than the conditioner containing Lipex at the 95% level (p=0.0285).
Examples 3 to 5
[0094] The following formulations were prepared. Examples 4 and 5 employed a blend of different
silicone waxes.
CHEMICAL NAME |
TRADE NAME |
Example 3% w/w |
Example 4% w/w |
Example 5% w/w |
Surfactant blend* |
|
2.2% |
2.2% |
- |
Poly(ethyle ne oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide) |
Pluronic F108 |
- |
- |
1% |
Behenoxy dimethicone |
Abil 2440 |
22.5% |
7.5% |
5% |
C24-C28 alkyl methicone |
Abil 9810 |
- |
15% |
10% |
Distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride |
Arosurf TA 100 |
- |
- |
7.5% |
Water |
Water |
75.3% |
75.3% |
76.5% |
*The surfactant blend is as described above in Example 1 |
[0095] Examples 3 and 4 were prepared as follows:
1. 45g of wax is melted in a beaker.
2. 50.64g distilled water is weighed into a beaker with 4.36g of the surfactant blend.
This is stirred to dissolve the surfactant, then warmed to 60°C, or just above the
wax melting point.
3. The molten wax is poured slowly into the water/surfactant mixture whilst shear
is applied. When addition is complete, shearing is continued for one further minute.
4. 100g distilled water, chilled to 0°C in a freezer, is weighed into a 600ml beaker.
An overhead (Heidolph) stirrer is inserted, and set mixing at 800rpm. The wax/water/surfactant
mixture is tipped quickly into this stirred cold water immediately the shearing is
complete. This is left to continue stirring for approximately 3 minutes.
[0096] With this method, Abil 2440 wax gives particles of mean particle diameter approximately
5µm, with a maximum of approximately 10µm, by light microscopy.
[0097] Example 5 was prepared as follows:
1. The waxes (Abil 2440 and Abil 9810) and Arosurf TA 100 are melted together in a
beaker at 50°C.
2. 53g distilled water is weighed into a beaker with 2g Pluronic F108. This is stirred
to dissolve the Pluronic, then warmed to 60°C, or just above the wax melting point.
3. The molten wax is pipetted or poured slowly into the water/Pluronic mixture whilst
mixing continues. When addition was complete, mixing was continued for a further 5
minutes.
4. 100g distilled water, chilled to 0°C in a freezer, is weighed into a 600ml beaker.
A separate Heidolph stirrer is inserted, and set mixing at 800rpm. The wax/water/Pluronic
mixture is tipped quickly into this stirred cold water immediately the shearing is
complete.
[0098] This is left to continue stirring for approximately 3 minutes.
[0099] The combing force was measured for hair switches treated with the formulations of
Examples 3 to 5 in the following manner:
Switch Treatment: 500ppm of the particles were applied to hair switches and massaged
in for 30 seconds. The switches were then dried using a hair dryer set to full heat
for 5 minutes whilst the switch was slowly combed.
Instron Combing was carried out as described in Example 1.
Instron Combing Results (3 min data point) |
Treatment |
Combing Force (N) |
Example 3 |
1.03 |
Example 4 |
1.17 |
Example 5 |
0.49 |
Example 6
[0100] The following is an illustrative further example of a conditioner composition of
the invention which can be prepared using the same general methodology as in Examples
3 to 5.
Trade name |
Chemical Name |
Example 6 %w/w active |
Ethoquad 0/12 PG |
PEG-2 Oleamonium Chloride in PG |
2.00 |
Laurex CS |
Cetyl/stearyl alcohol |
7.00 |
DC245 |
cyclopentylsiloxane |
2.00 |
DC1786 |
Poly dimethyl siloxane |
1.6 |
Arosurf TA100 |
Distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride |
0.018 |
Abil EM 90 |
Modified polyether polysiloxane |
0.017 |
Abil EM 97 |
Alpha, omega polyethersiloxane |
0.051 |
Silicone Wax (Dow Corning) |
|
2.325 |
TS 100% Water, fragrance, preservative, etc. |
|
To 100% |